Originally Posted by Cabledawg1

Ive read this thread and how others have a hard time doing a knife edge without the SFG's.
What a marvelous plane this is. Its possible they have changed the kit because i can knife edge at 3/4 throttle without the SFG's on. Im running digital strong servos and have all the throw on the rudder it can take. At full throttle knife edge, I can turn it up on its side and bring it over the top. Ill bet the reason some cant knife edge is the servo power....its definately not the plane.
This plane is very predictable and fun...easy to land....Ive got 8 flights on it and so far and the digital servos really sling this puppy around.
I took out the Power HD digital on the rudder and put in a HXT900. I put 4 flights on that today. With the HXT900, it doesnt have the holding authority of the digital...the knife edge was falling off.

I always wondered about that... nice to finally have some confirmation. Thanks for the info!

O.K., this is going to generate a lot of negative responses, but I'm sure all will be curious as to how she preforms.

What I have ordered...
Thunderbird 36 ESC
Optima 480 BM - @ $17.70 http://www.hobbypartz.com/75m21-opti...10-1020kv.html
7g Sub-Micro Servo - Package of 2 for $3.40!!! That's $6.80 for 4! I ordered 6 in case of of DOA's http://www.hobbypartz.com/60p-dy-1002.html
The ESC I already have...
RX is a $20 Crystal-less that I have used on other aircraft... http://www.bphobbies.com/view.asp?id...5&pid=C0365463
The motor specs are approx the same as the Park 480
The servo specs (if I remember correctly) fal between the 55 and 65

Should be together in about a week, any suggestions for Red Flags I should look for BEFORE launching this?
-Bill-

Originally Posted by drydock

Red Flags I should look for BEFORE launching this?
-Bill-

Servos are 3.40 a pair.

Well taken, believe me if I have doubts after holding the arms and actuating them it won't maiden. Know of a better test?

I have one of the 2/$3.40 servos that I broke the wires on by accident and thought I would see how strong the gears are. What I did was installed a long control arm on it and cranked it by hand as fast as I could. It stripped right out! Would a higher quality servo fare better or is this just a good way of destroying ANY servo?

Anyone got an extra set of wings? I did the prettiest Knife Edge spin and got too close to the ground. Both wings are damaged at the tips. I may try to fix it, but if someone has wings, I might get em.

Originally Posted by drydock

I have one of the 2/$3.40 servos that I broke the wires on by accident and thought I would see how strong the gears are. What I did was installed a long control arm on it and cranked it by hand as fast as I could. It stripped right out! Would a higher quality servo fare better or is this just a good way of destroying ANY servo?

You would destroy any servo without metal gears that you would use in this plane with that test.
I'm all for getting a plane in the air for cheap but servos are the last thing I want going out. They are the last link between you controlling your plane or not.
I used to set up all my planes with CC Phoenix esc/Thunderpower lipo/Eflight motors/Hitec servos. Not having the same hobby budget I now use CC Thunderbird/Flightmax/Turnigy/hitec in most of my setups.
I have a few Turnigy servos I purchased from HK that are going in a flat foamy warbird to test, I'm not against a low cost servo but I wouldn't trust my Funtan to them' I would use them in other low value projects. I don't want to be a complete downer so I would suggest looking at the HXT900 servo from HK. That would be my budget servo of choice for a plane at this level, many report good things about them. Good luck with the build and let us know how it goes!

I was checking out the HXT900's they seem to be at a scary low-cost too. I think I'll take your advise on the HXT900's and order them but I think we both know I'll prob try the first servos to arrive! I'll just take it REAL easy on the cheapo's...

I have HXT900's in several of my planes (Mini Funtana X included) and they have performed really well so far. They will strip faily easy in case of a crash, but other than that I think they're great.

I started out with the suggested EFlite S-75 servos in my mini-FuntanaX... They worked "ok", but they were really too weak for much more than basic aerobatics. The servo on the rudder would not hold knife edge. I could SEE the rudder blow back. On a lark, I swapped in four HXT900s and I've been quite happy with them. The plane snap rolls more crisply, pops right up into a "wall", and knife edges from "horizon" to "horizon"... :-) We'll see how they hold up over time.

Happy landings

Originally Posted by str8wing

I started out with the suggested EFlite S-75 servos in my mini-FuntanaX... They worked "ok", but they were really too weak for much more than basic aerobatics. The servo on the rudder would not hold knife edge. I could SEE the rudder blow back. On a lark, I swapped in four HXT900s and I've been quite happy with them. The plane snap rolls more crisply, pops right up into a "wall", and knife edges from "horizon" to "horizon"... :-) We'll see how they hold up over time.

Happy landings

What I found out to. I switched to HS-65kb, very fast, smooth. Also hold the centers. I was constantly trimming with the HXT900. On a couple I haven't touched a trim in a couple dozen flights.

The HS-65 is the perfect servo for this plane. I do like the 9gm HXT though and the price is right on time

I gotta boo boo

Originally Posted by bildo baggins

I gotta boo boo

looks more streamlined to me

Yeah! It kinda is!